Progress your career – join a union
Many people ask why they should join a union and there are many answers. For some, it's the individual representation you get if you have an issue at work, for others it's the collective aspect of being part of a movement that campaigns for a fairer deal for working people. Whatever the reason, union membership certainly has numerous benefits.
Trade unions have been fighting for years to win better rights and conditions, but with so much negotiation and collective bargaining taking place behind the scenes it can be difficult for non-members to 'see' the benefits union membership brings, particularly in workplace with no union rep.
Learning and development is one of the ways the value of union membership is brought into the forefront, everyone in their working life can benefit from training and for most it's a key part of career progression.
Unionlearn exists to make sure workers get access to lifelong learning in the workplace, trade union learning reps work with employers to review the training and skills staff require and through the union people can access free courses. Learning opportunities range from basic Maths and English, to more advance CPD and professional registration qualifications like EngTech.
The mutual benefits for both employer and employee in investment in skills is obvious and unions work hard to draw up learning agreements which recognise the importance of having set values and commitment to learning in the workplace.
In a digital age, this need becomes all the more clear and rather than creating a digital divide between those who grew up with computers, the internet and social media and are confident in its application in a work role, unions run IT courses and work with the employer to re-skill staff who are less confident working with new technology.
Young people entering the workplace also need to ensure their given quality training in order to learn properly on the job; apprenticeships are the perfect example of getting the right combination between work and learning.
Unions are key in helping quality assure apprenticeship programmes to ensure young people are getting high quality work experience with the training and the development they need to gain the skills they require to turn their apprenticeship into a profession.
Unions protect rights at work relating to equality, pay, security and provide a pathway for learning and development. There are many reasons to join a union, I can't think of a reason not to.
